State of the Empire, 2018
Oh hello there, friends. It’s been a while. January 2018 marked the 11th anniversary of the Offbeat Empire, and — first, ok let’s just acknowledge that that’s a long-ass time for a digital media company to be around! Big snaps to everyone who’s been a part of this company and its growth for the last 11 years. In the interest of transparency, I figured I’d share a bit about where the business is at… and some thoughts about what might be on the horizon for both the Empire and its founder. Let’s see if I can wrap my head (or at least my mouth) around everything we’ve got on the table right now…
How to report a crappy ad
Historically, I’ve tended toward native advertising (which means placement we sell ourselves, like Offbeat Bride’s Vendor Guide listings or vendor spotlights)… but these days we’re shifting more toward serving up ads delivered by ad networks (banners that are sold and delivered by third party companies). What this means for y’all, the Offbeat Empire’s readers, is that sometimes you might see ads on the Empire that are fucking gross… that we didn’t sell, and don’t even know are there!
When you’re a publisher known for silly content, during a serious time
I’ve written in the past about why the Offbeat Empire usually avoids current events, but the current geopolitical climate is way more than “current events.” It’s one of those worldwide shifts that simply cannot be ignored… even Teen Vogue has been radicalized!
Dick jokes & hard work: On tough years, great contractors, and corporate culture
Because of my contractors, the toughest two years of the Offbeat Empire’s decade of existence (and honestly, the toughest two years of my fucking life) have actually been totally ok. Bootstrapping a business is terrifying, since the only money to spend is the money that’s coming in. In a decade of being in business, I’ve never taken out a loan or accepted venture capital. My investments have been my own time, and the willingness of my crew to stretch themselves… and the corporate culture we’ve built together.